News of ILCSA members, and recent fora and events in which the members participated, as well as upcoming events are listed below.
Upcoming Events
IFA’s 17ᵗʰ Global Conference on Ageing
YEBO/YES! Action on Ageing:
Evidence | Policy | Practice
An event where inspiration meets engagement.
The International Federation of Ageing’s (IFA) 17th Conference will be held in Cape Town, South Africa on September 9-13, 2025. The Conference is organised jointly by the IFA and South Africa’s North-West University (Jaco Hoffman). Jaco Hoffman is the Chairperson of the International Conference Programme Planning Committee. ILCSA’s Sebastiana Kalula and Rayne Stroebel serve on a panel of Expert Advisors to the Conference.
ILC Global Alliance Annual Meeting 2025
The ILC Global Alliance Annual Meeting 2025 will be held in Cape Town to coincide with the IFA Conference (September 9-13, 2025). ILC members, in Cape Town for the Conference, will give individual presentations, while the ILC Global Alliance will organise workshops, roundtables and other presentations in the Conference programme.
Optimal Brain Health Workshop Series 2025
GERATEC is thrilled to announce the Optimal Brain Health series of three in-depth workshops facilitated by Dr. Lizette Kühn and Dr. Rayne Stroebel. These workshops are for anyone interested in understanding and improving brain health through evidence-based strategies and practical interventions.
Workshop Series Overview: Join us for this unique opportunity to dive deep into the latest research on cognitive health, nutrition, and dementia prevention. The series will cover modifiable risk factors, the MIND diet, and empowering strategies for improving life for people living with dementia and their caregivers.
Workshop 1: Dementia Decoded: Separating Myths from Facts
Dates: 11–12 February 2025
This workshop will debunk common myths about dementia while highlighting the importance of nutrition in cognitive performance. Participants will gain practical insights into how diet can be critical in managing neurocognitive impairment.
Key Topics:
- Neurocognitive impairment: What it is and what it isn’t
- Nutrition’s role in cognitive performance
- The gut-brain connection and the MIND diet
Workshop 2: 14 Ways to Protect Your Brain: Modifiable Risk Factors for Reducing the Risk of Dementia
Dates: 13–14 May 2025
This workshop will focus on practical strategies for reducing dementia risk. It will explore dietary interventions, metabolic syndrome, and lifestyle changes that promote brain vitality and prevent cognitive decline.
Key Topics:
- Exploring 14 modifiable risk factors
- Diet as a key part of prevention
- Addressing the metabolic syndrome
- Practical strategies for a brain-healthy lifestyle
Workshop 3: Empowering Well-being: Enhancing Life for People with Dementia and Their Caregivers
Dates: 8–9 July 2025
This final workshop will explore how caregivers and people living with dementia can enhance their quality of life by focusing on the seven domains of well-being, emphasising diet and personalised support strategies.
Key Topics:
- The seven domains of well-being for dementia care
- Diet’s role in supporting well-being
- Practical strategies for caregivers and care recipients
Details:
- Price: R1800 per workshop or R5000 for all three
- Venue: Inyoni Creek, Rand Aid
- Time: 09h00 to 15h00
- Booking: Via EFT payment using your surname and BH2025RA as reference. GERATEC (PTY) LTD | Nedbank | Account Number: 1498092683 | Branch Code: 198765
These workshops are ideal for healthcare professionals, caregivers, and anyone interested in maintaining or improving cognitive health. Spaces are limited, so secure your place today. For further details and to book your spot, contact Willem Myburgh at geralearn@geratecza.com.
News and engagements of ILCSA team members
Prof Monica Ferreira Honoured with the Julia Alvarez Award
During its recent Annual Meeting, Prof Monica Ferreira was named one of two recipients of the International Longevity Centre’s (ILC) prestigious Julia Alvarez Award. The award celebrates her contributions to advocacy, research and policy development on ageing across Africa and globally. Silvia Perel-Levin, a distinguished advocate in this field, shares the award.
Prof Ferreira’s extensive career, marked by leadership roles such as President (and currently Honorary President) of ILC South Africa and former Co-President of the ILC Global Alliance, has inspired transformative initiatives, including the Cape Town ILC Declaration on Dementia and numerous evidence-based global ageing research projects and policy reports.
Special thanks go to Prof Jaco Hoffman for his compelling motivation in support of the nomination of Prof Ferreira for the award.
The accolade underscores the profound influence of her work in improving the lives of older persons worldwide. Congratulations, Prof Ferreira!
Thank You for Making the Human Forever Africa Premiere a Success
The Africa premiere of Human Forever, held on December 12, 2024, at Ster-Kinekor at the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, was an inspiring and unforgettable afternoon for all who were there. The acclaimed documentary, directed by Jonathan de Jong and featuring Teun Toebes’ extraordinary journey alongside people with dementia, touched the hearts of all in attendance, celebrating resilience, dignity and the boundless human spirit. We extend deep gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of this event:
ILC South Africa Leadership: Prof Monica Ferreira, Prof Jaco Hoffman, Prof Sebastiana Kalula, and Dr Rayne Stroebel, whose steadfast support and leadership brought this remarkable film to African audiences.
GERATEC Staff: Whose dedication and commitment to creating an inclusive and compassionate experience truly embodied the values showcased in Human Forever.
Teun Toebes: Whose courage and empathy inspire change in how dementia is perceived and understood worldwide.
Jonathan de Jong: Whose creative vision brought the powerful story to life on screen.
Ms. Civil Legodu: Chief Director at the National Department of Social Development responsible for older persons, who graced the event with her presence and by lending her expertise to this important cause.
Gregor Sneddon: Secretary General of the International Federation on Ageing, for his inspiring global perspective and advocacy for dignified ageing.
Honorary Guests from the Hangberg Community: Their presence enriched the screening, and reminded us of the importance of unity and shared humanity.
Special thanks go to our audience for filling the theatre with energy and warmth. As Human Forever continues to inspire audiences worldwide, we are proud to have shared this pivotal moment with you. Together, we are championing a future where we celebrate and honour every person’s humanity.
Dr Rayne Stroebel joins ILCSA
Rayne Stroebel joined ILCSA as an Executive Member of its leadership team in 2023. He serves alongside ILCSA’s co-directors, Professors Sebastiana Kalula and Jaco Hoffman, based at the University of Cape Town and North-West University, respectively. Stroebel holds a master’s and a doctoral degree in Dementia Studies from Stirling University in the UK. He is the managing director of GERATEC (Gerontological Research, Training, Education and Care), a company that provides services to the long-term care sector.
In addition, Rayne Stroebel is the regional coordinator in South Africa of The Eden Alternative, a corporate social investment project of GERATEC aimed at changing the institutional culture of care homes. He brings experience and expertise to ILCSA in the areas of long-term care services and enhancement of the care ethos, towards a relationship-directed support model in residential care facilities. He develops and provides extensive training courses to improve the quality of life of individuals living with dementia.
Based in Cape Town, his GERATEC and The Eden Alternative business and service activities extend countrywide. He looks forward to opportunities to engage with centres in multi-country ILC research projects, particularly in the areas of care and dementia, as well as to engage in research aimed at advocacy and new policy formation in South Africa.
Recent appointments and activities of Sebastiana Kalula
Sebastiana Kalula has been appointed as the representative of the Africa Region to the Advisory Committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) Centre for Health Development (ACWKC). Her appointment is effective 2024 to 2026. The 16-member committee advises the Director-General of the WHO on strategic issues, currently in two main research areas: 1) Health emergencies and disasters; and 2) Health systems responses to population ageing and long-term care. The ACWKC meets annually, and is scheduled to meet next in Kobe, Japan, on November 25 – 26, 2024.
Sebastiana Kalula recently participated in other United Nations’ system related groups and activities, those of the World Health Organisation (WHO), in particular.
- She is a member of the WHO’s Technical Advisory Group for Measurement, Monitoring and Evaluation of Healthy Ageing: a formal advisory body on technical and/or scientific matters relating to healthy ageing programmes, policies and intervention for the UN Decade of Healthy Aging. She participated in a group meeting in Geneva, Switzerland on April 12 – 14, 2023.
- She is a member of both the WHO’s Clinical Consortium on Healthy Ageing (CCHA) and the Global Network on Long–Term Care (GNLTC). The consortium and network support the WHO in developing guidelines on Integrated Care for Older People. She participated in meetings in Geneva, Switzerland on December 5 – 8, 2023
Sebastiana Kalula presented a paper entitled “Ageing, healthcare and the mobility syndrome in sub-Saharan Africa” in a workshop on “Ageing and health of older persons in sub-Saharan Africa.” The workshop was held in Entebbe, Uganda in February 2023. It was hosted by the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research in Germany, in collaboration with the Department of Population Studies at Makerere University in Uganda and the Faculty of Sports Sciences at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, to mark the 20th anniversary of the Madrid International Plan on Ageing (MIPAA).
Sebastiana Kalula participated in the Commission on the Status of Women (NGO CSW) Forum 66 Virtual Conference. “Women working towards later life: Expectations and inspirations. Roles of older women in South Africa, how they champion the rights of women, and how they are valued within their communities.” March 2022.
Sebastiana Kalula presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Cape Town, May 15/16, 2024, “National Dementia Plans and Culturally Relevant Approaches to Care within the Clinical Setting”.
Recent activities of Jaco Hoffman
Jaco Hoffman, Daniela Aisenberg-Shafran (Israel) and Francisco Javier Mesa Rios (Mexico) presented a joint paper in a virtual event of the International Psychogeriatric Association (IPA): A new Debate Series on “Concepts of aging in different cultures and latitudes.” The event inquired how different cultures deal with ageing within families: on a societal level, in healthcare systems and through worldviews, exploring similarities and differences in experience working with older adults, and how the concepts of ageing are understood in the different contexts. Professors Doris Bohman and Lisa Skär joined him: The former sharing Swedish models of community care for older persons and the latter proposing ideas for future partnerships through the Erasmus and other EU exchange/funding programmes.
Jaco Hoffman participated in the 7th International (25th National) Public Health Congress of the Turkish Association of Public Health Specialists on “An ageing world: A social scientist’s perspective for the next generation.” In Antalya, Turkey, December 15, 2023.
Jaco Hoffman presented a virtual training course on “Ageing in the oldest and youngest regions of the world: Trends and approaches towards healthy ageing.” An IAGG Training Course for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, October 19, 2023.
Jaco Hoffman participated in an IARU “Student Capacity Seminar and Steering Group Meeting” (Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, NUS Singapore, Tokyo, Copenhagen, Zurich, NUA Australia, UCT/NWU, South Africa), in Tokyo, Japan, October 15 – 19, 2023.
Vera Roos and Jaco Hoffman gave a joint paper on “Older South Africans’ e-Inclusion: A focus on technology design and age-inclusive implementation” in the International Federation on Ageing (IFA) 16th Global Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, June 27 – 30, 2023.
Jaco Hoffman gave an invited address on “Moving forward in 2023: Identifying the 3 Top Priorities for LTC Development or for the Planning of New LTC Systems – What to Tackle First?” In the International Federation on Ageing (IFA) 16th Global Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, June 27 – 30, 2023. He also moderated a session in the conference on “Current status of care systems and policy environments – challenges and opportunities for progressive development and policy innovations.”
Jaco Hoffman gave a keynote address on “Careful care: Towards contextuality and relationality,” in workshops on “A New Perspective on Care,” convened by Activo Health. In Cape Town, July 7, 2023.
John Beard and Jaco Hoffman assisted in the facilitation of scholars from the Global South to participate in a virtual meeting of the “Working Group on Aging Society Metrics” hosted by ILC USA, August 9, 2023.
Jaco Hoffman gave a paper on “Long-term care in the youngest region (Africa): Relational perspectives for self-determination,” in a meeting on “A comprehensive approach to independent ageing: Innovative solutions and technologies.” In Aichi, Japan, October 13 – 15, 2023.
Recent activities of Rayne Stroebel
Rayne Stroebel participated in The Eden Alternative’s 30th anniversary celebration conference in King of Prussia, Philadelphia, USA, July 2-4th, 2024. He presented a paper at the conference on work done in South Africa to transform the institutional culture of care homes.
Rayne Stroebel participated in the 16th Global Conference of the International Federation on Ageing (IFA) in Bangkok, Thailand. He presented a paper on “The Storying of Elderliness in Hangberg.” (Hangberg is a residential site for a historically disadvantaged community of Hout Bay, a fishing village adjacent to Cape Town.) His research contributes to an alternative knowledge system that deepens understanding and respect for marginalised older persons in post-apartheid South Africa.
Helderberg FM – Silver and Gold, Not Old Radio Programme (2023 – ongoing)
GERATEC (through Rayne Stroebel) sponsors the “Silver and Gold, not Old” radio programme on Helderberg FM, with Theo Rix every Tuesday between 10:00 and 11:00. The programme engages listeners in insightful and thoughtful conversations on ageing.
